I think you hit the nail on the head there. While many younger fans do like art house and niche films they are a tiny minority compared to the multiplex crowd. I think when it comes to buying art house films collectors within that market will be less inclined to buy a steel and more inclined to buy the overall best package which could still be a steel or digibook etc. The steels that sell the most are basically Disney and Marvel, and that instantly sends a message to film companies and retailers on what else to offer that they know will be instant sales. Basically sci-fi, fantasy, action and horror.
I certainly wouldn't look down on someone for buying every Marvel or various editions of one film of that nature, I collect Marvel/comic book films myself, but I do find it strange that a collector would begrudge art house films getting the same treatment just because it's not a genre they care to watch. I'd say this site has a great mixture of fans of different genres, but the hatred this particular release seems to be getting is very odd. So they don't like the film! that's no reason to begrudge others from being treated to a nice steel for it.
Another add on reason could be that this is a limited run of what we so far know could turn out to be a premium nicely finished steelbook that actually was critically praised. Could it be certain "completest" collectors are now unhappy that they haven't ordered what could turn out to be a minor modern and hard to get grail, and are now hating on the film over a case of minor sour grapes lol
If this isn't the truest thing I've heard all day, then I don't know what is. The blockbuster steels sell fast while the art-house ones sit around for a while. Despite the atrocity that was TASM2 and what Age of Extinction is sure to be, I'm not going to say that those movies shouldn't get the steel treatment because there will still be fans and other collectors that would love to have those.
That being said, I wish we could get a few more art-house steelbooks or a steel of classic films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Citizen Kane, Badlands, Raging Bull, The Seventh Seal, etc. I mean, it upset me that four of the films out of my top ten of last year (American Hustle, 12 Years, and Dallas Buyers Club) never got a single steel treatment, yet we get constant re-releases. Even if one country got a 2000-2500 print run, they would surely sell out and give a few enthusiasts what they're after.
However, you are absolutely right about the younger generation. I'm only 21 and I can't get anyone to go see an art-house film, yet I could probably accumulate 10-15 people if I wanted to see Age of Extinction. Oh well. Tis the way of life, I suppose.
I imagine you'll be right about cancellations, there will be people that pre-ordered who see the film beforehand and simply don't like it.
That was my face when I first saw the steel art without the title. But this clean finish has grown on me tremendously. Really curious to see how this turns out, but terrified about the possibility of a dinged up steel arriving at the door with no chance of getting a replacement because it is sold out, then having to resort to crazy asking prices on ebay. I have also ordered Mulan and Aristocats. Hoping for a miracle that these all arrive mint.
